10 Skills Everyone Should Know How to Do

February 24, 2017 by jlmdiscovery

The other day our van died and I realized that I don’t know how to jump a car. Now, I know the concept, and I know how to look up instructions. But if I had to do it without guidance? I’d be stuck.

So this got me thinking: what else should I know how to do? There are a lot of life skills we’re expected to just “know”. But unless our parents took the time to teach us, most of what we learn comes from a Home Economics or searching for how-to videos when something goes wrong.

Here are 10 skills I think everyone should learn how to do.

1. Jump Start a Car

Why wait until you’re stuck with a dead car battery when you can be prepared? Take a look through the owner’s manual of your car and get familiar with the basic components under your hood. You can jump a car using either another running vehicle or a portable jump starter.

2. Change a Tire

Emergency car skill #2: learning how to change a flat. If you don’t know already, check your car to see if you have a full-sized spare tire or temporary spare (i.e. a “donut”). Note that for a temporary spare or run-flat tires, you’ll need to keep your speed limited (under 50 mph typically) and switch it out within 50 miles.

3. Perform an Oil Change

This last car skill will save you money on routine car maintenance. Check your owner’s manual to learn which type of oil your car requires, where the major components are located, and how often you need to change it. Tip: never change your oil immediately before leaving for a big trip (we almost missed the flight to our wedding because my husband ran into some issues a few hours before we were set to leave).

4. Perform Basic First Aid and CPR

When faced with an accident or emergency, no one wants to have to take the time to look up what to do. Educate yourself on proper first aid, CPR, and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) techniques. You can find a list of common first aid situations from the Mayo Clinic. The American Red Cross offers a wide range of training and online courses, including a Family First Aid class (only $25).

Here is a basic video demonstrating CPR techniques. Review these instructions annually and always check for the most up-to-date information.

5. Manage Personal Finances

While you don’t need to be an expert, you should have an understanding of the following:

How to Create (and Stick to) a Budget
How to Balance a Checkbook/Track Your Accounts
How to Manage Credit Cards
How to Manage Debt and Interest
How to Prepare for Retirement and Long-Term Goals

Sites such as LearnVest or this playlist from the Khan Academy will teach you the basics of a variety of personal finance topics. Services such as Mint or You Need a Budget will assist you in creating budgets, tracking your accounts, and paying off debt. Even if you think some of these topics don’t matter to you now, financial literacy will help you accomplish more with your hard-earned money.

6. File Your Taxes

You might already have someone who does your taxes for you, but improving your understanding of the process will take a lot of the stress out of it. Print out this tax form checklist of the documents you need to file your taxes and keep it as a reference. Check out the current year’s tax calendar and note the due dates on your personal calendars. File your own taxes using software such as TurboTax or H&R Block Online. Finally, use these recommendations for how long you should keep your income tax returns.

7. How to Cook

Now, I’m not saying you need to be the next Iron Chef (although a few too many Food Network marathons may have you think so). But everyone should know how to prepare basic, nutritious meals for themselves and their families. Start off by learning how to read a recipe. Then, make a list of some of your favorite meals and search for recipes online. Follow the instructions and focus on learning one recipe at a time until you get it right.

I promise, anyone can learn how to cook. Here are some videos to get you started.

8. Perform Basic Home Maintenance

If you own your home, you have full responsibility for maintaining it. It can be easy to ignore routine maintenance tasks when everything is going smoothly. But letting that maintenance lapse can result in thousands of dollars in repairs later on. Keep a checklist of annual home tasks. Mark dates in your calendar each year so you don’t forget.

Keep in mind that renter’s need to know many of these skills as well.

9. Sew a Repair

It can ruin your day when your favorite clothing gets a tear. Learn how to mend your own clothes and you can save the time and expense of a tailor. Here are a few skills to learn:

How to Mend a Seam
How to Sew a Button
How to Sew a Patch
How to Hem

For most repairs you only need to know a few basic stitches (no sewing machine required).

10. How to Manage Stress

In all our efforts to improve our physical health, we often forget about our mental well-being. We live in a stressful world. It’s important to know how to deal with stress and where to get support. Learn how to recognize stress. Test out a variety of stress-management techniques and note the ones that work best for you. Use this “stress toolbox” whenever you start feeling the effects of stress. Build a support network you can rely on when you need help.

This is one of my favorite TED videos. While stress can have significant negative impacts on our health, it can also be a motivator. The key is to take charge of our own wellness.

Are there skills you’d like to add to this list? Let me know in the comments!

My Favorite To-Do List Apps: Todoist and Asana

February 17, 2017 by jlmdiscovery

Sometimes one list just isn’t enough. But it’s okay – there are apps for that.

At any given time I have at least three to do lists: one Personal Master List, one Work Master List, and one Daily List. The first two allow me to get every buzzing task and reminder out of my head. My Daily List helps me to focus on accomplishing realistic goals.

I love finding the perfect solutions to each “problem”, and for me that meant using different to-do list apps for my personal and work lists (because they have different sets of requirements). Hands down, my two favorite tools are Todoist and Asana.

Here’s why you should check them out.

Todoist

I’ve been using Todoist for several years for my Personal Master List. The app is free, although a premium version exists for $28.99/year. I’m currently using Todoist Premium as it allows me to add multiple labels to my tasks, as well as adding a few other convenient features.

Here are some of the reasons I choose it over other apps.

Projects and Sub-Projects

If you prefer highly organized to-do lists, you’ll love Todoist. It allows you to sort your tasks into multiple levels of projects and sub-projects. This makes it excellent for Master Lists. It is also great for breaking down large goals into smaller sub-goals and steps.

I keep top-level projects for the major areas in my life: Home, Health, Family, Faith, Career, Finances, etc. Then I add sub-projects for goals I’m working towards in those areas.

Labels and Filters

This is my favorite feature of Todoist. You can add multiple labels (tags) to each task to help you search and sort through your lists. Here are some of the labels and filters I use to organize my Master Lists.

Duration
- How long will it take to complete this task?
- e.g. 5-Min, 15-Min, 30-Min, 60-Min
Type
- What type of action is required?
- e.g. Write/Create, Read/Review, Call
Location
- Where do I need to be to complete this task?
- e.g. Home, Computer, Errand, Anywhere
Priority
- Is this a Must Do, Should Do, Want to Do, or Could Do?
Delegation/Discussion
- Do I need to collaborate on this task?
- e.g. Joint (me and my husband), Family, Delegate

When I am filling in my Daily List, I search for tasks I can do based on their priority and how much time I’ll have left in the day. The best part is that if unexpected time frees up, I can just fill in with new tasks as I go.

Central Inbox

As much as I love organizing all my tasks, I don’t always have the time to do it on the fly. This is where I use my Central Inbox. I perform routine “brain dumps” throughout the day and list out as many tasks that are running through my mind as possible. Even if I’ll later decide they’re just “wish list” items, at least I don’t need to clutter my head trying to remember ideas.

I try to sort my Central Inbox once a week. I review each task and add in the appropriate labels/filters before dragging it into its respective project/sub-project.

Asana

I recently discovered Asana as it was recommended by many online business owners and bloggers. Aside from this blog, I run a business planning Disney vacations (check it out at Imagineered Vacations). Originally I kept my work tasks as a project in Todoist, but I felt like my work and personal lives were getting too combined. That’s when I decided to create my Work Master List.

Asana is built for teams, but can easily be used by an individual. Profiles are setup for a minimum of 5 “members”. The app is free, and has many similar features to Todoist. A premium version exists for $5 per member, per month (approximately $250 annually).

Here are some of the features I love in Asana.

Boards

This is one of my favorite tools for planning blog posts and keeping track of client follow ups. Unlike traditional lists, this function allows you to create columns for each step of a process and easily move tasks from phase to phase.

For blogging, I have columns for the entire writing process: Queue, Brainstorm, Outline, Draft, Graphics, Editing, and Scheduling. This setup makes it easy to block tasks based on which phase they’re in.

Project Templates

As a vacation planner, I have a process to follow for every client to ensure their trip goes smoothly. I created a template for each type of client (based on destination) and I can modify it for every new reservation.

I love how easy it is to copy and color-code projects. It allows me to keep all of my client tasks in separate projects, while still pulling them up by due date.

Calendar

Asana offers an integrated calendar that gives you a snapshot of your deadlines. For blog posts and client tasks this is an immensely useful tool. While I rely primarily on Google Calendar, this is a great backup for reviewing my work projects.

Both of these apps are cloud-based, so you can view them from multiple devices. I use the desktop versions most of the time, but I have the apps on my phone as well.

Have you used Todoist or Asana? Is there another to-do list app you prefer? Share in the comments!

How Checklists Save You Time and Stress

February 10, 2017 by jlmdiscovery

I’m going to let you in on a secret used by surgeons, fighter pilots, and rocket scientists…

What do they have in common? Checklists.

Yes, even some of the smartest people in the world rely on checklists to keep track of everything they need to do. There’s simply too much information to remember otherwise.

Checklists are the key to relieving some of the burden placed on our brains on a daily basis. We’re all familiar with the notorious “to do” list, but they can actually be used in a wide variety of situations. Here’s how checklists save you time AND stress.

Why Use Checklists?

Our lives are filled with so much information it sometimes feels like our heads will explode. We’re constantly trying to remember projects, deadlines, schedules, and so much more. In a single day we feel torn between 10 different priorities.

That’s where checklists come into play. Whether simple or elaborate, here’s why you should be using them:

Eliminate Mistakes – No more worrying about forgetting an item or task. As you check off your list you’ll know you have every detail covered.
Reduce Stress on Your Memory – Instead of attempting to remember long processes, write a one-time checklist for you to follow on autopilot.
Minimize Procrastination – When you know exactly what you need to do in a series of simply steps, you have no need to procrastinate.
Complete Projects Faster – Breaking down projects into a checklist allows you to track your progress and feel rewarded throughout the process.

The more we can remove thoughts and reminders from our minds and put them down on paper, the more mental capacity we will have left to tackle the tasks themselves!

How to Use Checklists in Everyday Life

You already use checklists in several places throughout your day: to do lists, grocery lists, and recipes. But here are a few more ways you can use checklists to simplify your life:

Diaper Bag Checklist
Home Cleaning Checklist
Weekly Meal Prep Checklist
Monthly Bill Paying Checklist –
Annual Home Maintenance Checklist
Travel Planning/Packing Checklist
Family Meeting Discussion Checklist
Holiday Planning Checklist
Morning Routine Checklist
Party Planning Checklist

Most of these are pretty self-explanatory. For example, if you have a baby in the family, you may like the idea of a diaper bag checklist. You can write it out on an index card, laminate it, and attach it to the inside of your diaper bag. Give it a quick look over before you go out and you’ll never have to worry about forgetting baby wipes again!

What would you use checklists for in your life? Share in the comments!

10 Types of Financial Goals to Work Towards

February 3, 2017 by jlmdiscovery

There is a lot of talk about budgeting, cutting spending, and living within our means. We know we should be saving money, but what are we saving it for?

Last week I completed an exercise for a course that asked me to brainstorm my goals for the next three years. It then asked me to estimate how much those goals would cost and how I would need to adjust my current income and budget. I made me realize the importance of setting clear financial goals alongside our personal ones.

There are many different goals you may want to save up for. Take a look at your long-term and short-term goals and have an open discussion with your family about what your priorities are.

Here are 10 ideas for financial goals to work towards:

1) Emergency Fund

Dave Ramsey fans know the importance of having a financial reserve in case unexpected expenses arise. He recommends saving at least $1,000 in addition to 3-6 months of living expenses.

2) Paying Off Debt

No one likes having debt hanging over their heads, be it credit cards, car payments, or student loans. Becoming debt-free is a goal of many.

3) Buying a Home

Whether it’s saving up for the down payment on your first new home or upgrading to a better one, investing in a new home is a reward in itself.

4) Saving for Retirement

The earlier you start saving for retirement, the longer your account has time to grow. Do some research on potential retirement accounts and start adding to them a little at a time. A financial advisor can help you determine how much you’ll need to save to live the retirement lifestyle you want.

5) College or Private School

If you want to be able to provide financial assistance to your kids through private school or college, start putting aside savings towards their education. Work with an advisor to estimate how much they’ll need and the best accounts to open.

6) New Car

It’s exciting to drive off the lot with a new car, and even more so if you can pay it off in full. Research the car you want ahead of time and start setting aside funds.

7) Vacation

Whether you want to travel the world or just take the family to Disney World, setting aside funds lets you know you can enjoy yourselves within a clear budget that won’t break the bank.

8) Large Purchases

Are you looking forward to redecorating your home? Have a hobby you’d like to invest in? Save up for your large purchases instead of putting them on your credit card.

9) Charity

Have you always wanted to make a large donation to your favorite cause? Perhaps your goal is to make annual contributions to several organizations.

10) Starting Your Own Business

Setting up a new business typically involves a financial investment. If one of your dreams is to be your own boss, this may be a priority for you.

Your goals will likely be a combination of the types listed above. However, the following goals should be included in any financial plan:

Become Financially Literate – Learn more about personal finance so you are better prepared to make decisions for your family.
Get Focused With Your Spending – Set up a budget and stick to it so you can put any extra funds towards your goals.
Plan for Life’s Twists and Turns – Make sure you have your insurance policies in order and plan ahead for potential emergencies.

Money is a tool that gives us the freedom to pursue our dreams. It’s up to us to decide how best to use it. So when you’re setting up your goals for the year, be sure to include these options in your plans.

Why You Should Evaluate Your Goals Every Three Months

January 27, 2017 by jlmdiscovery

How many times have you set a goal at the start of the new year and practically forgotten about it halfway through?

Goals are like flowers – you can’t just plant the seeds and walk away. You need to tend to them, check in on them, and cultivate them.

The best way to tend to your goals is to evaluate them at least every three months. Even the most basic review will keep them fresh in your mind. Here’s why:

You Renew Your Commitment

You know that motivation you feel when you kick off your New Year’s resolutions? It’s usually enough to power you through the first few weeks at least.

Checking in on your goals once a quarter is like giving yourself a restart button. Imagine having that invigorating burst of focus three more times in a year. If nothing else, it will get you that much closer to achieving your goals.

Start by reviewing your list of goals. For each one, remind yourself why you set it and what you have to gain by reaching it. Then either continue your current plan of action or create a new one. Commit to those new steps and surround yourself with inspiration.

You Make Adjustments

It’s easy to have grand plans at the start of the year. But sometimes those plans aren’t as realistic as you thought. Or they just aren’t as effective as you thought.

Looking over your goals every few months gives you the opportunity to review what’s working and what’s not. This is the only way you can make adjustments that will really have an impact.

If it’s not working, you have a few options:

Adjust your plan of action. Maybe you expected to workout for an hour each day and realized you just don’t have the time. So instead you could change your plan to working out for 30 minutes or an hour three times per week.
Adjust the goal itself. Maybe you set a goal of saving up for your dream house within in the year. Halfway though you realize it’s just not feasible in that time frame. So instead you change your objective to saving half of the down payment.
Adjust your mindset. Maybe you were excited to start fresh but lost motivation when things didn’t progress as quickly as you wanted. This is a great time to build up your support system and recommit.

On the other hand, perhaps your progress is going better than you thought. You may have even reached your goal already. In this case you have two options:

Stretch your goal. Maybe you set a business goal of reaching $50,000 in sales but you’re already at $60,000. Why not stretch your goal to $100,000 and see if you can push yourself that much further.
Celebrate and move on to other goals. If you’ve reached your goal and you’re content with it, hooray! Put that one aside and make one of your others a priority.

Speaking of celebration…

You Celebrate More Successes

Most people prefer instant gratification over waiting on progress. Waiting is hard – you put in all this effort and for a while you may not even know if it’s paying off. When progress is slow we lose confidence in our abilities and willpower.

Performing a quarterly check-in gives you the chance to take a look back at how far you’ve come in the past three months. Celebrate the wins, even if they’re small. And if you haven’t reached any milestones yet, celebrate the effort you’ve put in so far.

If it helps you, set up a reward for reaching each milestone. Plan it at the start of the year so you know what you have to look forward to.

You Keep Yourself on a Deadline

It’s easy to procrastinate when you feel like you have an entire year ahead of you. You start off with your action steps on your to do list, but they quickly get pushed to the next day, and the next day, and the next day, because they don’t feel time-sensitive.

When you set three month milestones you’ve suddenly narrowed your schedule. Instead of having 365 days to reach a goal, you now have only 90. You can even narrow that down further into monthly goals. This keeps you focused on making your goals a priority in your life.

Creating Quarterly Goal Reviews

So how do you set up these check-ins? Here’s how to get started:

Schedule four reviews in your calendar. Set reminders and consider them mandatory appointments with yourself.
Break your larger goals into 2-4 milestones. These are stepping stones to your overall objectives. Assign them to each quarter.
During each quarterly review, ask yourself the following:
1. Why do I want to reach this goal?
2. What progress have I made so far? Have I reached my goal?
3. What has been working? How can I keep this up?
4. What hasn’t been working? How can I make adjustments?
5. What am I grateful for in the past three months?
6. What is my new plan of action?
Update your calendars with your new plans.

If you’re looking for a planner or journal set up to accommodate quarterly reviews, check out the Powersheets Goal Planner or the Daily Greatness Journal (I love both of these).

Keep cultivating those goals and you’re sure to make those dreams come true!